British and Irish Lions 2021: Conor Murray leads side for first time against strong South Africa A

Tour captain Conor Murray leads the British and Irish Lions for the first time against a strong South Africa A team in Cape Town on Wednesday.

There are 12 changes to the side that beat the Sharks 71-31 on Saturday, with only Anthony Watson, Chris Harris and Dan Biggar retained.

Faf de Klerk and Pieter-Steph du Toit are among the World Cup stars starting for the coronavirus-hit hosts.

"It is going to be pretty much a Test match," said Murray.

"It is almost a fourth Test. It is only going to sharpen our focus more. It is a massive challenge and good prep for what is to come."

Bundee Aki joins Biggar and Harris in the Lions midfield, while Maro Itoje returns to the pack after recovering from illness.

Wednesday's game goes ahead despite a Covid-19 outbreak in the Springbok camp. taking the side's total number of cases to over 20 since the Lions tour began.

South Africa announced that captain Siya Kolisi had tested positive for the virus on Sunday, with the entire squad isolating in their hotel rooms last week.

The Lions have travelled to Cape Town for Wednesday's game having played their first three games at altitude in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

This article originally appeared on BBC Sport

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